Package or container



Dec. 1960 D. G. NOLTE PACKAGE 0R CONTAINER Filed June 19 1959 WIRE F'GZ.

INVENTOR Davina No/re W Z; a)

A ORIIEY"S United States Patent Ofiice 2,964,175 Patented Dec. 13,- 1960 PACKAGE OR CONTAINER David G. Nolte, Richmond, Va., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Halifax Paper Company, Inc., Richmond, Va., a corporation of Virginia Filed June 19, 1959, Ser. No. 821,587

7 Claims. (Cl. 206-65) The present invention relates broadly to the packaging of articles and more specifically to an improvement in the design and construction of a carton or container for holding and displaying a number of articles.

The art of packaging a number of articles in a single container is not only an exceedingly competitive one but is also one that has been developed to a very fine degree of perfection through public acceptance. It has been determined, however, that prior art cartons or containers relating to the packaging of a number of items have not proven to be satisfactory in all aspects. The desire to present a carton having a plurality of articles therein as an attractive and decorative display item, has resulted, in Some instances, wherein the articles were not properly and adequately secured in a neat and orderly arrangement within the carton. The foregoing is particularly applicable wherein relatively small articles, such as stick candy or lollipops are sought to be arranged in an attractive display.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a container having the top completely open with the inner faces of the side walls so formed and arranged to receive therein a number of articles whereby said articles will be securely retained in the container.

Another object is to provide a container having portions of the side walls thereof formed with cutout segments for securing therein a number of articles in an attractive display pattern.

Another object is to provide a carton having means in the side walls thereof for securing the ends of articles therein.

A further object is to provide a carton having inclined outer and inner side walls with suitable apertures provided in the inner walls for receiving the two ends of an article and securely retaining them within the carton.

A still further object is to provide a carton in which the sides are formed for resiliently supporting a plurality of articles therein and securely retaining them against displacement even if the carton is inverted.

Still further objects are to provide a container or carton formed from a single blank of material, which is economical of manufacture and is readily assembled and filled with articles.

Other objects and advantages, more or less auxiliary to the foregoing in the manner in which all of the various objects are realized will appear in the following description which, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, sets forth the preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the accompanving drawing wherein the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank for use in forming the carton of the present invention;

Fi ure 2 is a plan view of the carton formed fr m the blank s own in Figure 1 with a number of articles arran ed therein; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the carton showing the manner in which the articles are secured therein, the view being taken on the plane 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing where there is shown in Figure 1 a blank generally designated 10 preferably fabricated from a single piece of cardboard or some other suitably stiff sheet material. The blank 10 is formed with a plurality of creases, folds or score lines 11, 12, 14 and 15 that are disposed in spaced parallel relation to one another and which extend longitudinally of the blank or throughout its length.

The fold lines 12 and 14 define the main or base panel member 16 while the fold lines 14 and 15 define between them a side panel 17 and the portion of the blank between the fold line 15 and the edge thereof is defined as a portion or segment 18 of a top or supporting panel. The fold 0r score lines 11 and 12 define between them another side panel 19, while the portion of the blank between the fold line 11 and the edge of the blank is defined as a top panel or supporting segment 20. The segment or panel 20 is approximately two and a half times the size of the segment or portion 18. The main or base panel member 16 is provided with score or fold lines 22 and 23 at each end thereof which define end flaps 24 that are formed with inclined or bevelled sides 25.

At the same time that the score lines 11, 12, 14 and 15 are being formed in the blank 10, it is also subjected to a stamping or punching operation for forming a plurality of tabs or flaps 26. The tabs 26 are formed in the blank 10 adjacent the score lines 11 and 15 .and are. arranged in spaced parallel relation to one another throughout the length of the blank. The tabs 26, during the punching operation, are each formed with a reduced upper or outer portion which constitutes a tongue of protuberance 27. The tongue 27 which projects from the central portion of the tab terminates at the score lines 11 and 15.

Each tab 26 and its tongue 27 define with the next adjacent tab and tongue a web or segment 28 which is of a configuration substantially the reverse of that of a tab and tongue. The segments or webs 28 are each composed of a base portion 29 and a reduced neck portion 30 with the former lying along the score lines 11 and 15 and being interposed between adjacent tongues 27, while the neck portion 30 is positioned between adjacent tabs 26. The sides of each tab 26 and the entire tongue or protuberance 27 are stamped from the blank 10 so that they are capable of a flexing or pivotal movement about their base which is a part of either the segment 18 or panel 20 of the blank 10. The base portion 29 and neck portion 30 are integral parts of the blank 10 and connect segment 18 with panel 17 and panel 19 with panel 20 with the score lines 11 and 15 defining the bottom of each base portion 29. Each base portion 29 is formed with an aperture 31 that is positioned approximately at the line of jun ure of the neck portion 30 with said base portion.

The blank 10 is formed into a carton or container by placin said bl nk on a flat surface in a horizontal plane and then folding the segment or portion 18 about the score 01' fold line 15 until it assumes or reaches a vertical or upright position. The panel 17 is then folded about the score or fold line 14 until said panel stands in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the main panel 16 at which time the segment or portion 18 will be in a horizontal plane projecting from the top of panel 17 over a portion of panel 16 and positioned in spaced relation thereto.

The panel 20 is next folded about the score line 11 until it is in a vertical plane after which the panel 19 is folded about score line 12 until said panel 19 is in a vertical plane at right angles to the plane of panel 16. The panel 19 being so positioned, the panel 20 will be in spaced parallel relation to panel 16 and the free edge 33 of panel 20 will overlap the free edge of segment or portion 18. The free edge 33 of panel 20 will overlie only a small part of portion 18 so that it is positioned adjacent to the base of tabs 26 and the top of neck portion 30 of the webs 28. The free edge 33 of panel 20 is secured to the segment or portion 18 by any suitable means, such as an adhesive. Thus, the panel 20 and segment 18 together with the tabs 26 and tongues 27 define or constitute a supporting panel for the lollipops as will be set forth more clearly hereinafter.

In preparing to pack or fill the container with candy, such as lollipops, and with the container formed as described hereinabove, the panel 20 is next pushed downwardly or towards the base panel 16 and at the same time the tabs 26 and cooperating tongues 27 are also pushed towards said base panel. The downward movement of the panel 20 and tabs 26 causes the side panels 17 and 19 to move from their original upright or vertical position to a sloping or inclined position, Figure 3. The downward flexing or movement of the tabs 26 results in the webs or segments 28 being the sole connecting means between the panel 20 and the side panel 19 and between side panel 17 and portion 18. The web or segments 28, upon the downward movement of panel 20, are drawn from their flat or horizontal position to a position where they are disposed in a plane that is inclined with respect to the base panel 16, Figure 3. The line of jointure between the neck portions 30 of the webs 28 and the panel 20 becomes a slight crease or flexing line upon the downward movement of the panel 20 and the same result is obtained at the line of jointure between said neck por tions and the free edge 33 of said panel 20. The foregoing results in panel 20' being disposed in spaced parallel relation to the main or base panel 16 so that a slight cushioning effect is obtained for supporting the lollipops when they are placed in the contalner.

The movement of the Webs 28 to an inclined position results in said webs becoming or constituting the inner side walls or panels of the container with the panels 17 and 19 being the outer side walls. Furthermore, the supporting panel 20 and tabs 26 in conjunction with the webs 28 define a structure that is suspended from the side panels 17 and 19 and held in spaced relation to the base panel 16 for resiliently retaining the articles within the container. In the downward movement of the sup porting panel 20 the tabs 26 are flexed slightly below said panel towards the base panel 16 so that the tongues 27 move over the inner surfaces of the panels 17 and 19 until they engage the fold lines 12' and 14 which engagement maintains the container in a rigid upright position preventing any sidewise movement yet enabling the panel 20 and webs 28 to provide a resilient support.

The lollipops are placed in the carton by inserting the end of the lollipop sticks 34 into the apertures 31 in the web or inner side wall 28 on one side of the carton and then forcing the candy portion 35 of the lollipops into the opening defined by the tab 26 that is directly opposite in the other inner side wall or web 28. The candy portion 35 is forced or snapped under the edges of the base portions 29 of adjacent webs 28 so as to overlie the tab 26 and tongue 27. The candy portion 35 of the lollipop is supported or carried by the tabs 26 and the portion of the panel 20 adjacent each tab and the base portion 29 of the adjacent webs 28 insure the retention of the candy part 35 of the lollipop upon said tab and panel. Thus, the lollipop has one end carried by a web and is held in spaced relation from the outer side panel and the bottom panel while the other portion of the lollipop is held in engagement with the tab and panel but spaced from the base panel 16. The carton is thus filled from one end to the other by alternating the position of the lollipops in that a stick 34 is always interposed between adjacent candy parts 35 of the lollipops, Figure 2.

The end flaps 24 are folded to an upright position along the crease or fold lines 22 and 23, where said flaps will engage the ends of the side panels 17 and 19 and overlie the ends of the inner wall segments 28. The inclined or bevelled edges 25 of the flaps 24 will be disposed in the same plane as the ends of the inclined side panels 17 and 19 and said flaps may be secured to the ends of said side panels by suitable adhesive means. In lieu of securing the flaps 24 to the carton, the entire carton may be wrapped in some suitable transparent paper which will hold the end flaps 24 in engagement with the ends of the side panels 17 and 19. The use of a transparent wrapping material will enable the contents of the container to be readily seen by the purchaser and the variegated colors of the lollipops will present a very colorful display and tend to materially enhance the appearance of the container. With the lollipops securely retained in the container by the Webs 28 and inclined side panels, the accidental inverting of said container will not cause the lollipops to become loose within the container.

What I claim is:

1. A container for holding a plurality of articles comprising a bottom with side panels affixed thereto and a supporting panel connected to the side panels, a plurality of tabs formed in said supporting panel, said tabs being disposed in spaced relation to one another throughout the length of said supporting panel and terminating in tongues at the connection of said supporting panel with said side panels, said tongues engaging said side panels at the connection of said side panels with said bottom for restraining movement of said supporting panel between said side panels.

2. A container for holding a plurality of articles comprising in combination a bottom with side panels aflixed thereto and a supporting panel connected to the side panels, a plurality of tabs formed in said supporting panel, said tabs being disposed in spaced relation to one another throughout the length of said supporting panel and adjacent to said side panels, said tabs terminating in tongues at the connection of said supporting panel with said side panels, said tongues engaging said side panels at the connection of said side panels with said bottom for restraining movement of said supporting panel between said side panels, said tabs defining webs in said supporting panel intermediate adjacent tabs, said webs having one end connected to a side panel, said webs having apertures provided therein, and each of said tabs adjacent one side panel removably receiving one end of an article with the other end of the article projecting through the opening in a web adjacent the other side panel.

3. A container for holding a plurality of articles comprising a bottom with side panels afiixed thereto and a supporting panel connected to the side panels, a plurality of tabs formed in said supporting panel, said tabs being disposed in spaced relation to one another throughout the length of said supporting panel and adjacent to said side panels, said tabs terminating in tongues at the connection of said supporting panel with said side panels, said tongues engaging said side panels at the connection of the side panelswith said bottom for restraining movement of said supporting panel between said side panels, said tabs defining webs in said supporting panel intermediate adjacent tabs, said webs having one end connected to a side panel, said webs having apertures provided therein, and flaps on said bottom engageable with the ends of said side panels and said supporting panel.

4. A container for holding a plurality of articles comprising in combination a bottom, inner and outer side panels and a supporting panel, said inner side panels consisting of a plurality of spaced webs connected to said outer side panels and said supporting panel, said webs holding said supporting panel in spaced relation to said bottom, each of said Webs defining with its adjacent web an article receiving aperture, said webs havings openings therein for removably receiving and holding one end of an article with the other end of the article being positioned in an article receiving aperture defined in the opposite inner side panel and being supported on said supporting panel, the portions of adjacent webs defining said apertures being adapted to engage the article in said article receiving aperture for holding the article on said supporting panel, said inner and outer side panels being positioned in planes inclined with respect to said bottom.

5. A container formed from a single blank for holding a plurality of articles and comprising in combination a bottom having side panels with a supporting panel connected to the top of the side panels, a plurality of tabs formed in said supporting panel adjacent each side panel, said tabs being arranged in spaced relation to one another throughout the length of said supporting panel and defining webs in said supporting panel, each of said webs having a base portion connected to said side panels and a neck portion connected to said supporting panel, the tabs formed in said supporting panel adjacent one side panel being disposed opposite the webs formed in said supporting panel adjacent the other side panel whereby said container has throughout its length a web on one side that is transversely opposite to a tab on the other side, said webs having openings therein for removably receiving and holding one end of an article with the other end of the article removably supported on the tab disposed opposite said web, said webs defining inner side panels for holding said supporting panel in a horizontal plane adjacent said bottom with said side panels being disposed in planes inclined with respect to the bottom.

6. A container formed from a single blank for holding a plurality of articles and comprising a bottom, side panels and a supporting panel connected to the top of the side panels, a plurality of tabs formed in said supporting panel adjacent each side panel, said tabs being arranged in spaced relation to one another throughout the length of said supporting panel and defining webs in said panel, each of said webs having a base portion connected to said side panels and a neck portion connected to said supporting panel, said tabs terminating in tongues at the connection of said supporting panel with said side panels, said tongues engaging said side panels at the connection of the side panels with said bottom for restraining movement of said supporting panel between said side panels, and said base portion of each web overlying a part of an adjacent tab.

7. A container formed from a single blank for holding a plurality of articles and comprising in combination a bottom having side panels with a supporting panel connected to the top of the side panels, a plurality of tabs formed in said supporting panel adjacent each side panel, said tabs being arranged in spaced relation to one another throughout the length of said supporting panel and defining webs in said panel, said webs including a base portion connected to said side panels and a neck portion connected to said supporting panel, said webs defining inner side panels for holding said supporting panel in a horizontal plane adjacent said bottom with said side panels being disposed in an inclined plane with respect to the bottom, and flaps on said bottom engageable with the ends of said side panels and overlying the ends of the supporting panel and the inner side panels, said tabs terminating in tongues at the connection of said supporting panel with said side panels, said tongues engaging said side panels at the connection of said side panels with said bottom for restraining movement of said supporting panel between said side panels, each of said webs having an aperture formed therein, the webs adjacent one side panel removably receiving in the apertures therein one end of an article with the other end of the article removably supported on a tab adjacent the other side panel, the base portion of each web overlying a part of adjacent tabs for engaging and holding the article on said tab.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,519,831 Frankenstein Aug. 22, 1950 2,620,962 Powell Dec. 9, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 423,240 Italy July 10, 1947 

